“Money?” His brows rise. “That was the last thing I expected to come out of your mouth.”
“Yes, well, you walking into my bakery to ask me to be yourfriend was not what I expected to come out of your mouth yesterday.”
“I didn't walk in there to ask you to be my friend. I asked you topretendto be my friend.”
“And as I just said, I don't fake anything.”
The room falls silent as we both stare at each other, waiting for the other to make the next move. It isn't going to be me, no matter how badly I want him to agree just so I can reach my goals.
“All right, fine. But tell me why you need money, outside of the fact that you want to expand the bakery.”
“If you want answers to your questions, I want more answers to mine.”
“I already told you everything.”
“So, you and your father have an outstanding relationship, and this has nothing to do with whatever feud is going on between the two of you.”
“Who said there was a feud?”
I pause to think over my answer. I don't want him to know that Grace vented to me, because that could be considered gossip, and I don't want to get between family members.
“Just a hunch.”
“Well, I guess we can agree that we are both going to get what we want without telling the other all of the answers they wish to know. As long as Henry picks me, the money is yours.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
“So, you'll come over as soon as you get off work?”
“What? When did we make that agreement?” His left brow rises as he waits for my response.
“I made it just now. If we're going to do this, our friendship needs to start now. Me walking in here as if I have done ithundreds of times will already be gossip for the town, so we may as well get started.”
His gaze bores into mine, and he studies me as if he's trying to read more into what I'm saying.
“All right, I'll come to your house.”
“Perfect, but don’t you want to know how much money I need?”
“Nope.”
I make a gagging noise, but then his gaze snaps to mine. I smile.
He’s doing me a favor, so it’s probably best if I don’t start a fight right from the start.
“See you tonight, and shirts are required.”
I spin without letting him have another word, and I walk right out the door the same way I went in. As soon as it's closed, I let out the breath I've been holding. I'm about to become friends with Dutton Richford. How am I going to keep this from my father?
Chapter
Seven
DUTTON
I've donesome pretty dumb stuff in my life. But right now, standing outside of Brooke’s house, I think I've hit the dumbest of all. I take a deep breath and put one foot in front of the other, taking in the way her yard is the perfect shade of green, perfectly mowed with lines, and every flowerpot around her front door is in full bloom in various colors. She’s got the layered welcome mats you see on home shows, and everything on the front step is set up as if it were picture-ready.
